These days, with security
tight and carryon bag restrictions even tighter, all photographers face
a dilemma. In the old days you could check your cameras, albeit in very
strong and secure cases, and even lock them up so no one could get their
hands on your equipment. Now that you can no longer lock luggage, or
carry on more than one bag and a "personal" item, it's
tougher to figure out the best way to bring all your gear along and
get it where you're going safe and sound.

A photo backpack is the solution, and certainly my choice when traveling.
It leaves your hands free, and the right bag, when configured properly,
will take much of the weight off your shoulders. Depending on the design,
that carryon could even serve as an overnighter or laptop bag as well,
taking the place of additional luggage.

What To Look ForHarness your energy: Most important on a photo backpack
is the harness system: Approach it as you would a pair of shoes. You
don't need anything fancy just for city streets and country roads
or if you'll mostly be riding around on the Serengeti. You'll
need more robust footwear for long treks on rocky terrain--namely
well-fitting hiking boots. Likewise, you'll need a fully adjustable
"technical" harness, with added straps to further relieve
the strain from shoulders and hips and keep the pack secure. Functional
waist belts (with padding for heavy packs) transfer the load to the
hips and relieve much of the strain off shoulders; a chest (sternum)
strap keeps the bag from shifting and throwing you off balance, while
also preventing shoulder straps from sliding off and digging into your
armpits. A good harness system will leave you little worse for wear
at the end of the day.

Rucksacks.
The Billingham rucksack is made of canvas and is very chic,
whereas the Vanguard bag is more economical and not quite
as trendy. Both may be small enough to qualify as a "personal"
item, leaving room for a larger "carryon" bag
for the overhead bin.

How the pack rides:
The pack should ride comfortably on your back and should fit
you without compromise. When fully loaded, even with tripod attached,
the bag should feel well-balanced, helping to maintain your center of
gravity. (In theory, we try to load a backpack with the heavier stuff
toward the top, for this reason.) An ergonomically contoured harness and
padded airflow back panel with lumbar support add to the comfort factor,
as does the use of a breathable mesh fabric against your back.

Configure the pack to your needs: The bag should keep
gear well organized and readily accessible. Often the pack is configured
to hold a 35mm SLR with lens attached, surrounded by any number of movable
dividers that let you customize the interior. Lenses/flashes may stand
on end or lie lengthwise--your choice, although the number of dividers
and/or interior depth may dictate one or the other. You may have to improvise,
with additional cushioning or dividers to prevent stuff from "floating"
and bouncing around.

Overnighter
packs. The upper packs (Lowepro and Naneu Pro, left to right)
feature a fairly spacious photo section below, with the
upper section for hiking or sightseeing paraphernalia. The
Kinesis pack (below) has a removable, if small, photo bag
that hangs inside, but more importantly, the components
are ordered to your size for a superb fit.

Take a good look:
The bag should be padded front to back, top to bottom (without noticeable
gaps) to hold its shape and keep gear intact. Corrugated plastic or board
may be used to reinforce high stress points, usually at the bottom but
also in vertical dividers. Handles and straps, where exposed, should use
"Box" or preferably "Box-X" stitching (cross-stitching
within a stitched box) to withstand tugging. Zippers shouldn't stick.
As for pockets, I like at least one large pocket and lots more inside
and out, which makes the bag more functional. Padded pockets are useful
but tend to add bulk.

If possible, keep film inside the bag, where padding forms insulation,
or in padded pockets.

Weather the elements: The outer shell of a durable pack
is constructed of wear-resistant fabric (anything from 420-denier ripstop
nylon up to 1000 or so denier Dupont Cordura, or any variation of fabric
thereof). Nylon is especially resistant to mold and mildew in hot, humid
climes. As an alternative, canvas looks great and wears well. Rain flaps
(or a rain hood) hiding zippers and a rain cover (concealed in some packs)
will help weather the elements. Fabrics are routinely coated to repel
water, with protective closed-cell foam also forming a moisture barrier.
With the right thread used (nylon on nylon fabric, cotton with canvas),
seams become practically impervious to water as well--though, with
very few exceptions, I'd think twice before fording a river on foot.

Split-level
backpacks. (Left to right) The f.64, M-Rock, and Hakuba
packs have two distinct sections: an upper and lower level.
The bags hold their shape thanks to padding or reinforced
walls. The f.64 and Hakuba packs are equipped to hold gear
top and bottom, whereas, the M-Rock is actually a daypack,
with photo gear residing below.

Is it right for you?
That's determined by your mode of travel (and the carrier) on each
leg of the trip, how much of the journey will be on foot and over what
type of terrain, personal endurance, and, of course, personal preference.
And don't forget to consider what you like to shoot and the gear
you expect to carry, whether it encompasses such items as bulky macro-flash
units or long, fast optics. And if you use medium or large format, make
sure the bag will accommodate these larger cameras and lenses, along with
film holders. Finally, consider your destination, especially on international
travel, and the return trip home.

Does it meet carryon regulations? It all comes back to
this--the final criterion...and also your first: Will it fit
in the overhead bin? The bag's dimensions when empty are one thing,
when full another--bags may bulk out, exceeding carryon allowances
and airline (or bus/train) personnel may not want to waste time with a
tape measure. Not to mention, the manufacturer's dimensions may
not include pockets, handles, wheels, and such. Weight is also a factor.
Plus, there is the matter of determining whether it's a "personal"
item or "carryon." Since allowances may vary dramatically,
check the carrier's website, and even call first. And if you use
(or transfer to) small commuter jets and island hoppers, consider a smaller
bag still. Even then, it's no guarantee that the pack won't
be stowed with baggage on a tiny plane.

Adorama tuxedo vest. Photo vests vary widely, but this Adorama
vest is the only one I know that can double as formal wear.

A Photo Vest: Handy
Investment For Keeping Things Handy
Wearing a photo backpack means you don't have ready access to camera
bodies, lenses, and accessories. A photo vest alleviates this problem,
with numerous pockets of various size and shape designed to put everything
at your fingertips (provided you remember which pocket you put stuff in).

Different vests may be better suited to different situations.

Here's a sampling of photo vests we've seen:
Adorama offers a classy, black tuxedo-style photo vest, complete with
satin lapels, and great for formal occasions and walks about town. Billingham
brings you a very handsome and stylish vest made of breathable, water-
and wind-resistant fabric--available in blue. CampCo has an economical
alternative in a practical cotton vest with breathable mesh lining--in
black, khaki, or olive drab. Lektra presents several options in both soft
leather and cotton vests with extra large pockets--ventilated and
non-ventilated backs, with removable sleeves, in tan. L.L. Rue offers
a water-resistant vest made of pack cloth, with roomy, padded pockets,
and ventilated for comfort--in camouflage or tan. Promaster recently
added a photo vest to their line-up, very practical, ventilated, with
lots of pockets. SCOTTeVEST has come out with a totally different design
that is adaptable for use with a cell phone, meter, or radio slave hidden
in a pocket and connected via conduits. Tamrac has an admirable cotton
vest with vented back panels, "D" rings, and snap-down epaulets--in
black and khaki. And Vested Interest presents a selection of photo vests
designed to your specifications, with padded pockets--in various
colors, including camouflage.

Tamrac
vest. This Tamrac design is a fine example of what we've
come to expect of the typical photo vest. Photo courtesy
Tamrac.

Our Selection
Photo backpacks come in all shapes and sizes. We're limiting ourselves
to airline carryon, one bag per manufacturer. Even though they're
listed here, a few packs may be a tight squeeze on some carriers. We've
included soft-sided roller backpack cases equipped with a backpack harness
(for city and off-road), daypacks (with room for hiking/sightseeing essentials),
computer photo packs (if you're one of those people who can't
live without a laptop), rucksacks (conveniently small for anyone who doesn't
like to overburden themselves), and, of course, the "typical"
photo backpack (compartmentalized top to bottom for camera gear). For
those of you who prefer to travel really light, as an alternative we've
added sling bags, which are quite small and very fashionable.

A few backpacks feature removable padded inserts, which may also serve
as a camera or laptop bag (as applicable). (There are many more packs
out there from these manufacturers, so we recommend logging on to their
website to review them.) All bags listed feature customizable, padded
photo compartments, and at least one carrying handle of some sort. All
backpacks presented come equipped with a backpack harness, so this is
not mentioned under "Features," whereas a "hideaway"
harness is mentioned, where applicable. Manufacturers may list their harness
as "ergonomic"--we'll let you decide when you try
them on. (Note: Dimensions are outer dimensions, and may be approximate,
excluding harness/pockets/handles; all prices are MSRP, unless otherwise
noted.)

Avoid Getting Carried
Away With Carryon
If you wear a photo vest (always a good idea), be prepared to remove it
and subject it to the same scrutiny your luggage undergoes. Carrying film?
Make sure it's in a see-through bag or pouch, and ask for (but don't
always expect to get) hand inspection. Fast film and x-rays especially
do not mix, and keep in mind that x-ray exposure is cumulative. What's
more, if cameras and lenses are to be inspected, and in the event someone
grabs for them to personally inspect them, quickly--and with a smile--offer
to open them up and hold them up to view. Hopefully that will suffice--but
no guarantees. Just don't make a scene, or you may miss your flight.
Finally, take a picture--of the gear in the bag, and carry the print
with you, for inventory, and to make sure everything goes back in its
proper place. It all seems to fit for the journey out, and then we spend
hours trying to get it all back in place for the journey home.

Photo Backpacks
This category consists of full-size packs reinforced with padding top
to bottom, usually with a main inner compartment devoted entirely to photo
gear, although one pack in this group features three separate photo sections.
While the products presented are diverse in design, we begin with one
bag that may be defined as the "typical" photo backpack.

Sling
bags. If you're not into backpacks, then try a sling
bag designed to carry photo gear, complete with movable
dividers. Shown are the Beseler, in hot neon green, and
the Adorama bag, a compact and comfy alternative to a shoulder
bag.

Split-Level Photo Daypacks
If you don't like a pack that must be placed nearly flat on the
ground to access gear, you may like this alternative, with sections that
open with the bag in a fully vertical position, either from the top, front,
or clamshell-fashion. Bags in this group are reinforced with padding top
to bottom. One bag features a non-photo compartment, although the two
other packs can be retrofitted for similar use (by removing dividers or
insert).

Tripod sling. Tripod slings prove optimal for toting this
accessory. One or more feet fit in the sling, which usually
hangs down from the front of the bag, further secured with
straps. Note: with tripod attached, the bag may exceed the
carryon allowance. Shown: Naneu Pro pack with Cullmann Magic
2 tripod.

Overnighter Photo Daypacks
The non-photo section has no padding, so that it can be filled to capacity
with anything and everything needed for an overnight trip or a day hike,
while the main compartment (usually the lower one) is reinforced and compartmentalized
for photo gear. These bags normally taper toward the top, giving them
an even leaner look that makes them more airline-friendly.

Tripos
pack. Many photo backpacks can carry a tripod, but not like
this. The Tripos pack and tripod form an integrated unit,
with the pack attached and off the ground while the tripod
is in use. Photo courtesy Pro4 Imaging.

Kinesis/P414 Journeyman
Modular Pack
Features: Camera bag suspended within carryall compartment; chest strap;
padded airflow back panel; internal frame for better back and structural
support; tested with padded waist belt ordered to my size; 22x14x9";
Price: $300 with waist belt (ordered direct)User Evaluation & Comments: The individual components
ordered to your body size make this the best fit and feel of any pack
tested; removable camera bag a plus, but holds only a few items; especially
suited to the great outdoors.

Computer
photo packs. (Clockwise) The ruggedly appealing Tenba computer
pack provides quick access to lenses and laptop, with hatches
on both sides. The Crumpler is fashionable and benefits
from a removable laptop pouch. The quietly practical Tamrac
bag ports your laptop at the back, with separate access.
And while toting a laptop up front, the spacious Delsey
pack proved best suited for carrying my Cullmann tripod.

Photo Rucksacks
Simply shrink the full photo pack and you have a rucksack. One advantage:
they limit the amount of gear carried on your back and are small enough
to tuck under your seat at a restaurant and possibly on a plane--and
should qualify as a personal item at airline check-in (but verify this).

Computer Photo Packs
These packs generally feature one main photo compartment, with a separate
section for a laptop (to 15 or 17", depending on pack). Laptop may
be stored at the front, but more often at the back, and possibly in its
own pouch or carrying bag. Photo section often follows typical photo backpack
design, with padded dividers.

This
updated Pelican PCS161 is a roller, soft-sided pack featuring
a hide-away harness and chest strap, and can be stowed inside
a Pelican 1610 case for added security. Photo courtesy Brandess-Kalt-Aetna.

Miscellaneous Pack
Designs & Sling Bags
Hard-case enthusiasts might like the adaptive backpack harness, whereas
those of you who prefer traditional photo bags will find a more comfortable
and fashion-forward option in sling bags.

Full-size
backpacks. The Promaster bag (far right) is the "typical"
photo backpack, entirely devoted to photo gear, with movable
dividers inside. The Wildlife Research Photography pack
(middle) is designed to hold very long lenses and provide
ready access to your gear. The Phoenix roller pack (left)
holds quite a bit of gear, and easily converts from roller
case to backpack.